Elevation-controlled firing apparatus for guns.



E. BOURDELLES.

ELEVATION CONTROLLED FIRING APPARATUS FOR GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1913.

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AI'ILIOATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1913.

1,096,673. Patehted May 12, 1914,

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ELEVATION CONTROLLED FIRING APPARATUS FOR GUNS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1913.

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COLUMBIA PLANouRAPl-l c0-, WASHINGTON, D. o.

stra ns EMILE BOURDELLES, OF IPARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO COMPAGNIE DES FORGES ET ACIERIES DE LA MARINE ET DHOMEGOUBT, 0F PARIS FRANCE, A

JOINT-STOCK COMPANY.

ELEVATION-CONTROLLED FIRING APPARATUS FOR GUNSJ Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 26, 1913. Serial No, 791,972.

To all whom it may concern Be'it known that I, EMILE BOURDELLES, a citizen of the Republic of France,-resident of 39 Rue Galilee, Paris, France, have invented a new and useful Elevation-Con The invention is equally applicable to firearms andto larger guns such as ships guns and also to guns whose elevation iscaused to vary at the moment of firing by any means.

'The invention consists broadly in utilizing a gravity controlled member connected to the gun, and in constructing this member in the form of an electrical make or break device arranged in the circuit of an electric firing mechanism or of anelectromechanical or electromagnetic devicefor actuating the trigger. W

In other words, the invention consists in the combination upon the gun itself or suitably connected therewith, of an electric firing device or of an electromagnetic or electromechanical device for actuating the trig- 'ger or the firing mechanism with a device for making the circultby means of a me1n-.

ber such as a level or pendulum, that is to say, a device which acts automatically merely under the influence of gravity.

By reason of the fact that the firing mechanism is automaticallyactuated by the electro-magnetic means located in an electric circuit controlled by gravity contact means, the actuation of the firing means is made independent of the marksman at the precise moment when the arm passes in elevation or depression the desired inclination.

Various practical embodiments of the invention applied to a portable firearm such as a military rifle are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing:

. In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures-1 and '2, in longitudinal section and in elevation, it is assumed that firing is effected bymeans of a trigger connected with a scar and in accordance with the invention, actuated by mechanism subject to the influence of an electromagnet which is energized for the actuation by a I circuit which is automatically made when the pendulum or gravity controlled member reaches the proper position during the firing movement. Fig. 3 is a section on the line wm of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate detail constructional modifications. Figs. 6 and 7 are sections of modifications of the gravity controlled member which makes the circuit.

In the stock A of the gun or at any other convenient point, a source of electrical en ergy is provided. In the example here illustrated, this source of electricity is constituted by a battery a in the stock, the eurrent from which passes to an electromagnet I) also in the stock and to a mercury level 0 through the insulated terminal (Z, the point ofwhich is immersed in the mercury when the level is horizontal. The current issues through an insulated terminal cl the point of which is regulated in such a manner that it is also immersed in the mercury at the same moment. The current then. passes along a flexible wire 6, connected with a movable contact f carried by a rod 9." The level a which is hermetically closed, is provided with a tube 0 enabling the air to pass from one vertical branch to the other. lVhen (the rifle being about to assume the firing position) the marksman while depressing or raising the rifle presses upona false trigger it and brings it as far as a suitably adjusted stop 2', a spring j arranged between the false trigger it and the trigger proper u presses the latter and prepares the firing movement. At the same time the rod 9 moves rearwardly and the movable contact f rigidly mounted on the rod passes be tween spring jaws is connected with the extremity Z of the winding of the electromaga finger m againstwhich a cross piece a normally rests; this cross piece is jointed at n to a tube 72 inclosing the electromagnet and through which the rod 9 passes freely. The spring 0 then presses the cross piece 11. into contact with the head 10 fixed at Patented May 12, 1914.

The armature m carries the end of the rod 9 which has receded owing to the action of the marksman upon the false trigger 7i and this contact fires the rifle with the cumulativeenergy of the spring 0 and of the sn'ing Owing to the movable contact f, the current is unable to flow and the rifle cannot be fired unless the false trigger it has previously been pressed by making the movement hitherto habitually employed.

In order to increase the sensitiveness of the mechanical relay formed by the members m and a and to permit of employing weak currents, as shown in the modification illustrated in Fig. l, the lever m m can be formed in two parts, oscillating independently around one and the same pivot; the lever mis then provided with a snug m producing a blow upon a tail m of the finger m at the end of the magnetic attraction. Fig. 5 illustrates another modification of the mechanical relay, consisting of a plunger 9 acted upon by a spring 1", this plunger is maintained cocked by two claws s s which lock it in the position illustrated. When the current passes it attracts the releasing device 6 whose movement owing to the action of the projections 25 upon the claws s s releases the plunger which then strikes the head p of the rod g.

lVith the two types of relay illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 when the marksman re-loads, the trigger proper w. in moving forward exerts traction upon the rod 9 whose head 79 together with the coiled spring 11 replace all the parts of the relay in the position which permits of firing; In order tofire the rifle at a varying elevation dependent upon the range of the target, the level 0 is carried by a bracket which can be given diverse inclinations by means of gear and rack 03 00 (Fig. 1) controlled by a lever g (Fig. 2) mounted upon the shaft of the pinion 00.

For weapons firing ammunition with electric fuses, the entire system described above can be reduced to the battery and the level suitably connected one with the other and with the fuse.

Fig. 6 illustrates in sectional elevation a modification of the device for making the circuit by means of a controlled gravity member. A mercury drop level 0 is composed of two cylindrical steel elements 1 and 2, separated by a cylindrical portion 3 of fiber or ebonite fixed to a base 2 by a collar 4 or other appropriate member; the drop of mercury might be replaced by a steel ball. In this case it is advantageous for the distance between the internal surfaces of the ebonite wall 3 to begreater than that between the walls of the cylinders 1, 2. The base .2', like the casing c of the level in the foregoing example, is pivoted to the stock and carries one of the members so, of the train for regulating the firing.

Fig. 7 represents another modification of the device for making the circuit by means of a controlled gravity member. In this example the said member is a small pendulous mass 5 suspended at 6 by means of a shaft connected with one of the terminals of the source of electricity from a bracket 7 integral with the base 2, and oscillating be tween an adjustable screw 8 and a terminal (Z connected with the electromagnet and insulated from the support 2.

In the examples that have been described, the device whereby the operating circuit is made by a gravity controlled member is wholly housed in the weapon itself. It will, however, be obvious, that in applying the invention to non-portable weapons such as ships guns for example, the circuit making device might be fitted to the gun carriage, or at any other suitable place separated from the gun proper provided that it is connect-ed with the latter in some appropriate manner. Although it is preferable that the automatic actuation of the trigger or the automatic firing mechanism should be produced by the closing of the interposed electrical device, it is obvious that the desired result might also be obtained by breaking the circuit by means of some appropriate gravity switch.

The device described is applicable to the simultaneous operation from a central station of a plurality of guns connected with this station. In particular, it is applicable in combination with installations for the control from a distance of the sights of naval guns or stationary guns.

lVhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a gun, the combination of firing means, means held under tension for actuating said firing means, and gravity-controlled electromagnetic means adapted to set in operation said actuating means when the gun occupies a predetermined position in elevation or depression.

2. In a gun, the combination of firing means, means held under tension for actuating said firing means, I electromagnetic means for controlling said actuating means, an energizing circuit for said magnet means in which are gravity-controlled contacts, and other contacts on the closure of which the circuit is prepared for closure by the gravity contacts when the gun occupies a predetermined position in elevation ordepression.

3. In a gun, the combination of trigger operated firing means, a trigger actuating member, spring-pressed means normally restrained froin acting on said member, means for releasing said restraining means controlled by an electric circuit having gravity controlled contacts which close when the gun is in firing position to actuate the releasing means and set off the firing means.

4:. In a gun, the combination of trigger operated firing means, a trigger actuating member,spring-pressed means normally restrained from acting on said member, and

gravity controlled means adaptedto release said spring-pressed means to act on said member when the gun occupies a predeterminedffiring position.

6. In a gun, the combination of trigger operatedfiring means, a trigger actuating member, spring-pressed means normally restrained from acting on said member, elec-V trically controlled means for releasing said restraining means including gravity controlled contacts and contacts controlled by said actuating member, and a false trigger acting through said member to close one set of said contacts, the other set being closed when the gun is in firing position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' 1 EMILE BOURDELLES.

' Witnesses: a

HENRI MONIN, HANSON C. CoXE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, I). 0. 

